Surfacing element



1951 H. c. HALL SURFACING ELEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1947 Lil A5 JNVENTOR. Hqward C. Hal! BY fl/mmf/ Aug. 28, .1951 H. c. HALL SURFACING ELEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1947 INVENTOR.

Howard C. HQ BY Patented Aug. 28, 1951 NT OFFICE SURFACING EiihMiENT Howard C. Hall, Cam'as, Wash. Application December'fi, 194?,"S'ri5l No. 790,139

erably aluminum, intended primarily for use as a roofing material substituting for shingles, but which could be used as siding in simulation of shingle, shake or strake siding.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide asurfacing element of great wearing qualities, high insulating value, and attractive appearance which may be supplied in one or several standard sizes and be adaptable to any roofing or siding problem with a minimum of hand labor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a metal shingle simulating sheet which may be rapidly and easily applied to a building.

A further object of the present invention is to provide shingle-simulating sheet members which will not leak even under conditions wherein ice dams tend to form at some points of the roof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide shingle-simulating sheet members having staggered edges which match shingle spacesimulating grooves in an adjoining sheet so as not to break the uniformity of appearance of a roof or wall covered thereby.

Although the present invention is primarily intended to present the appearance of a shingled surface, certain features thereof are applicable to sheets simulating strake siding as will presently appear.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 represents at having the preferred applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a partial view of a sheet formed in accordance with the present invention, showing the right end of a sheet adapted to form part of a joint;

Fig. 3 is a view of the left end of a sheet adapted to'form the cooperating portion of a joint;

Fig. 4 is an end viewfof a sheet formed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and illustrating a portion of a joint;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 2 and illustrating a joint forming portion;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken substantially along line l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a. vertical section taken substantially along line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

section of a roof or Wall form of the invention 8 Claims. (Cl. 108-17) Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken substantially along line |0 "lll of Fig. l; and

Fig. 11 is a plan View, on an enlarged scale, of portions of two adjoining sheets at a joint before next covering sheets or ridge caps are applied thereto.

The invention preferably comprises aluminum or other similar metal sheets l0 each having a plurality of courses I I thereon formed by providing vertical steps l2 in simulation of the butt ends of courses of shingles or the lower edges of lap strakes. If the members are to simulate shingled roofs or shake siding the courses are divided by parallel indentations l3 normal to the steps I2 in simulation of the vertical spaces between shingles. erably narrow and shallow, beingof a. depth and width substantially equal to the thickness of the metal as seen more clearly in Fig. 10, and preferably terminate short of the vertical steps I2. Since each indentation is relatively narrow, the indentations of overlapped sheets when in superimposed relation tend to hold the adjacent portions of the sheets slightly apart so as to prevent capillary movement of water between the sheets.

Each sheet as herein illustrated provides simulation of four courses of shingles, but it must be appreciated that additional sizes such as of 1, 2 or 3 courses may be provided, for example, for the purpose of forming the last courses of surfaces Which do not permit the use of four-course sheets throughout. Each sheet is preferably provided with its right end out along a stepped line as seen in Fig. 2 and its left end out along a stepped line as seen in Fig. 3, each end being stepped to cooperate with the opposite end of an adjoining sheet to form a leak-proof joint. However, limited quantities of sheets may be pro-- vided with one vertical edge in order to start the various courses. It is intended, however, that the courses may be started by cutting standard sheets along one of the vertical lines provided by the aligned indentations iii in alternate courses, thus providing a sheet for the right end of a course and a corresponding sheet for the left end of a course. Also, a sheet may be cut diagonally to conform with valleys and hips.

The upper edge of each sheet is longitudinally bent to form an upstanding, narrow Z-strip with a lower corner at M, a short reentrant upright l5 and upper corner at IS. The substantially horizontal edge strip [1 formed by the upper arm of the Z-strip is of relatively narrow width and is 'Firnvaflnfl mm. 1; a-.-i.- J..-..

These indentations are pref-- 3 through which nails 19 may be driven to hold the strips in position, the slots being elongated to allow expansion and contraction of the sheets. At the right end of each sheet the strip l1 and the corner I6 terminate adjacent the upper end of one of the indentations l3, preferably the second one inward from the stepped end of the upper course II. The extension of corner 14 from the end of the sheet inward to the termination of the strip I1 is opened somewhat to provide a reentrant edge strip 20. Thus the Z-strip at the left end of an adjoining strip may be slid into the wide groove formed by the strip 20 until the upright I thereof abuts the upright ii at the right end of the adjoining sheet and the strip l1 thereof substantially abuts the strip l1 at the right end of the adjoining sheet as seen in Fig. 5. The lowermost course i l is provided with a reentrant edge strip H at the base of the vertical step l2, which extends from the right end of the sheet to a point spaced inwardly from the lower left corner of the sheet by a distance equal to the amount of overlap corresponding to the length of the strip 20. Therefore, when the two sheets are slid together lengthwise the strip 2| at the right end of one sheet will abut the end of the strip M at the left end of the adjoining sheet. The strip 2i of the next sheet above apositioned course will fit into the angle formed at M, the course ll and the upright of the Z-strip.

As seen in Fig 3, the left end of each sheet is out along a zig-zag line following the lower edges of the steps l2 and the centers of indentations [3, each course thus being stepped over an amount equal to half of the width between regularly spaced indentations 13. If irregular spacing is desired it is preferred that each course be stepped back about as illustrated so that the angles formedby the hypotenuse of each step-back with the steps l2 are about 45. In the event that irregularly spaced indentations are provided in shinglesirnulating appearance so as to create the impression of narrower or wider shingles, it is preferred that the step-back of each course be equal to half the distance between indentations 13. In the illustration the horizontal dimension of each shingle simulation is twice the vertical dimension so that the step-backs form the sides of equal sided right triangles. If the shingle spaces were narrower the step-back would have a shorter horizontal leg and if wider a longer horizontal leg, in order that the left end of the sheet will match the indentations H5 in the adjoining sheet. Therefore it is preferred that the step-backs be at least half the width of regularly spaced indentations, and in the event of-irregularly. spaced indentations that they be approximately equal to the spaces between step-s l2 or greater- In all events, it is preferable to have each course terminate at its left end so as to match the second indentation inward from the right end of an adjoining sheet.

The right end of each sheet is preferably stepped back along a similar line, but it will be noted that the horizontal legs thereof are spaced upwardly from the steps l2 a substantial distance and the vertical legs thereof are spaced beyond the last indentation l3 a substantial distance. Thus, when the sheets are overlapped as seen in Fig. 1, each course is overlapped to an extent greater than one shingle width in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction are overlapped to the extent of a course width for. more than one shingle width and to .a substantial distance beyondthat. Thus waterwhich tends to edges of courses flow betweensheets horizontally will be directed downwardly toward the steps I2 by at least two indentations [3. If the water tends to travel horizontally between the steps l2 there is an open space of at least half of a shingle width through i which it may pass downwardly beneath the edge of the upper step [2. If it still tends to remain between the steps l2, the water must travel more than a shingle width before it comes to the stepped edge of the lower sheet. It should be apparent from the foregoing that no water will leak between the two sheets.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications of the foregoing may be achieved. All such modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims are considered to be a part of my inventtion.

I claim:

1. A surfacing element comprising a sheet of metal having a plurality of parallel steps formed thereon to simulate courses and a plurality of indentations normal to said steps to simulate shingles in each course, the edge of said sheet adapted to lie lowermost when in use having a reentrant strip at the base of the lowermost step, and the edge of said sheet adapted to lie uppermost when in use having an upstanding Z-stri'p formed thereon, said reentrant strip and steps being of such dimensions withrespect to said Z-strip that an upper sheet may have its reentrant strip hooked into an angle of the Z-strip of a lower sheet, said indentations being equally spaced apart a distance substantially equal to twice thefwidth of each course and being equidistantly. staggered in adjacent courses, and each end of said sheet being stepped back a plurality of times, with one end edge being stepped back along the bases of said steps and along said indentations, and the other end edge being stepped back horizontally above said steps and vertically between said indentations.

2. A surface covering for a building comprising a plurality of metal sheets each having parallel upper and lower edges, each of said sheets having thereon a plurality of parallel steps parallel to said edges and a plurality of grooves normal to said edges, said strips simulating the lower edges ofcourses of shingles and said grooves; simulating the spaces between shingles, the upper edge of each sheet having a Z-strip formed thereon and standing above the adjacent portion of the sheet. the lower edge of each sheet having a narrow reentrant strip formed thereon and standing below the adjacent portion of the sheet, said Z-strip and said reentrant strip being of such dimensions that the reentrant strip of one sheet may hook over the upper edge of an adjacent, lower sheet with said reentrant strip received in an angle of the Z-strip of the lower sheet, portions of said Z-strip and of said reentrant strip being'cut away adjacent the ends thereof whereby an adjoining sheet may be overlapped a substantial distance, said strips being cut away to points adjacent the ends of certain of said grooves whereby horizontally adjacent sheets may be overlapped with the end edge of the upper sheet matching grooves of the lower sheet.

1 3. A surface covering for a building comprising a plurality of metal sheets each having parallel upper and lower edges, each of said sheets having thereon a plurality of parallel steps parallelto said edges and a plurality of indentations normal to said edges, said strips simulating the lower e of shingles and said grooves; simulating the spaces between shingles. the upper edge of each sheet having a Z-strip formed thereon and standing above the adjacent portion of the sheet, the lower edge of each sheet having a narrow reentrant strip formed thereon and standing below the adjacent portion of the sheet, said Z-strip and said reentrant strip being of such dimensions that the reentrant strip of one sheet may hook over the upper edge of an adjacent sheet with said reentrant received in an angle of the Z-strip of the lower sheet, said strips being cut away at one end of each sheet to points adjacent the ends of inwardly spaced indentations whereby horizontally adjacent sheets may be overlapped with the opposite end edge of the upper sheets matching indentations of the lower sheet, said opposite end edge being stepped back a plurality of times along the bases of said steps and along said indentations.

4. A surface covering for a building compris ing a plurality of metal sheets each having parallel upper and lower edges and a plurality of parallel steps and indentations simulating shingles, the upper edge of each sheet having a Z- strip formed thereon and standing above the adjacent portion of the sheet, the lower edge of each sheet having a, .narrow reentrant strip formed thereon and standing below the adjacent portion of the sheet, said Z-strip and said reentrant strip being of such dimensions that the reentrant strip of one sheet may hook over the upper edge of an adjacent sheet with said reentrant strip received in an angle of the Z-strip of the lower sheet, said strips being cut away to points adjacent the ends of inwardly spaced indentations whereby horizontally adjacent sheets may be overlapped with the end edge of the upper sheet matching indentations of the lower sheet, said end edge being stepped back a plurality of times along the bases of said steps and along said indentations, and the opposite end edge of each sheet being stepped back a plurality of times horizontallyabove said steps and vertically between said indentations.

5. A surface covering for a building comprising a plurality of metal sheets each having parallel upper and lower edges and a plurality of parallel steps and indentations simulating shingles, the upper edge of each sheet having a Z-strip formed thereon and standing above the adjacent portion of the sheet, the lower edge of each sheet having a narrow reentrant strip formed thereon and standing below the adjacent portion of the sheet,-

said Z-strip and said reentrant strip being of such dimensions that the reentrant strip of one the opposite end edge of each sheet being stepped back a plurality of times horizontally above said 6 steps and vertically between said indentations, the distance said strips are cut away being greater than the distance between adjacent indentations in each course.

6. A surfacing element comprising a sheet of metal adapted to be applied to a building surface and having parallel upper and lower edges adapted to lie horizontally when in use, the edge of said sheet intended to lie lowermost when in use having a reentrant strip depending therefrom, and the edge of said sheet intended to lie uppermost when in use having a Z-strip rising therefrom, said reentrant strip and said Z-strip being so formed that the lower edge of one sheet may hook over the upper edge of another sheet with the reentrant strip on the upper sheet received in an angle of the Z-strip of the lower sheet, said element being shaped throughout to simulate V courses of shingles, and said strips being cut away adjacent at least one end whereby horizontally adjoining sheets may be overlapped, the amount said strips are cut away being such that the end edge of one sheet may match the vertical edges of shingle simulations of another sheet.

7. A surfacing element comprising a sheet of metal adapted to be applied to a building surface and having parallel upper and lower edges adapted to lie horizontally when in use, the edge of said sheet intended to lie lowermost when in use having a reentrant strip depending therefrom, and the edge of said sheet intended to lie uppermost when in use having a Z-strip rising there from, said reentrant strip and said Z-strip being so formed that the lower edge of one sheet may hook over the upper edge of another sheet with the reentrant strip on the upper sheet received in an angle of the Z-strip of the lower sheet, said element being shaped throughout to simulate courses of shingles, and said strips being cut away adjacent at least one end whereby horizontally adjoining sheets may be overlapped, the amount said strips are cut away being such that the end edge of one sheet may match the vertical edges of shingle simulations of another sheet, one end of said sheet being stepped back a plurality of times along the edges of shingle simulations and the opposite end being stepped back in the same direction, horizontally above the lower edges of shingle simulations and vertically between the vertical edges of shingle simulations.

8. The construction set forth in claim 7 wherein the vertical edges of the shingle simulations are provided by indentations of a depth and width such that when superimposed the sheets are held in spaced apart relation.

HOWARD C. HALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

